Strength is…
…pushing past boundaries. Boundaries you’ve set. Maybe without realizing it. Or maybe you have. Or maybe those boundaries were set by someone or something else. And you push past. That is strength.
…choosing to challenge yourself. With intention. And purpose. Not going halfway and stopping. But taking it all the way. Not just completing a challenge, but crushing it. That is strength.
…embracing discomfort. Stepping way outside of your safe little world and into a world of unknowns. And charging forward. With courage. Even if that means ‘faking it until you make it.’ Because getting uncomfortable enacts change, evolutions. That is strength.
…Dream. Dream. Dream. And then turn those dreams into your reality. That is strength.
Strength is…
<Editor’s Note: This post came to me after a really solid day at my new job, where I found myself stepping outside of my world and embracing the discomfort. And it was followed by a particularly intention-filled barre n9ne class. Where I felt focused. Sure of myself. And most of all? I felt strong.
…I must say, this ‘year of no limits’ is off to a damn good start. Rock. On. >
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
This is so beautiful Jess! And so you! I absolutely LOVE it! 🙂
Thank you friend! I had lots of fun in pinterest in the process (damn that site is so addicting!!)
Hi Jess, you know I love your posts and I’m always very impressed by your power and strength. That motivates me a lot! One question came into my mind just recently and I hope you don’t mind asking: Have you ever failed in something (re fitness. I don’t want to be too personal ;-))? Did you ever try out any kind of sport you were really weak in like in …ehm… ice skating, horse riding, square dancing? Did you ever miss a target? You always seem to be so straight forward, strong and successful that I wondered whether it’s just me that I do not become faster with every single run. Or that I sometimes just don’t LIKE to work out even though I love it… Looking forward to your answer 🙂
Hmm, you are keeping me on your toes this morning Julia! But actually, you are absolutely right. I *have* failed at something fitness related. And it’s because of previous failures that every little tiny success today means so much more to me, so that’s why I celebrate success, and the process of getting to that success a lot on this blog. I talk a lot about embracing the process, the journey — because without failure, how could we ever appreciate success, at least not fully, right?
To answer you though – I’d honestly call Group Kick a failure (even though I hate that word). It was a moment where I took a challenge head-on but I didn’t see it all the way through. I didn’t finish what I started: I went halfway and then stopped. That used to be my MO for a lot of things in life but after the whole Group Kick thing, I put the pieces together and realized that I was kind of self-sabotaging my own efforts by not TRULY giving it my all, by not truly embracing the process, of getting uncomfortable and truly going for it.
That’s why it might sound like where I am today seems a little “puppies and rainbows” in a way — it’s mainly that my perspective has changed and I’m ready to embrace new, even if that “new” can be really scary and hard sometimes. Which is why I’m going after things like my first full marathon, and becoming barre n9ne certified and tackling my new job with ferocity. 🙂
Did I answer your question?? 🙂
Definitely 🙂 Glad to hear that there are things you dislike… However, keep being positive. It’s always inspiring to read your posts. They often bring me back to positive thinking, back to that “yes, you can” momentum that I often forget throughout the day. So: Don’t get me wrong. I was just curious if there was a “failure” once in your fitness “career”
Gosh, I felt this way last night after my run. It was late and I was still full from dinner and I kept saying “it’s only one day – I can skip it”. But I manned up, got on the treadmill, and had a kickass run! It took all I had to get out that treadmill and I’m so glad (and proud) that I did – that’s strength. 🙂
YES!!! Manning up DOES define strength. Love this example!!
I need to say how much I LOVE this post. I agree that strength is challenging ourselves and going after our dreams 100%
THANK YOU Tina!! Dream big, take a few risks and do it with strength and courage. Amen.
I love this – I especially love embracing discomfort in terms of stepping out of comfort zones. I have so been trying to do this since last year. Not always the best at it, but trying at least.
It’s so hard to fully embrace discomfort but once you do it a few times, it kind of becomes a bit of a rush the next time you do step out of your comfy little “space” into a new world like that. I love that you’re doing more of that yourself, that is awesome!
This was powerful, well written and impactful. I absolutely love it! Thanks for the great read!
Thank you so much!
LOVE this and all these quotes. so happy to hear how happy and strong you’re feeling 🙂
I swear, part of feeling strong and confident is saying it loud and proud. That’s kinda what this post is about for me. I’m glad you dig it 🙂
love it! and lol you and I used one of the same images on our blogs today! i did blog bit ago about strength and not quitting!
I LOVE that we were on the same wavelength with our blogs (and pins) today!
A simple and beautiful post — something we should all do some reflecting on every once in awhile. I like how this came from a job-related thing. I’ve been having trouble at work lately..partly because of struggling to accept some uncomfortable new things but you are right, when I embrace them, learn & do, I DO feel strong. Thanks for that.
Sometimes it’s the work-related “things” that can be the most uncomfortable – so I’m glad that this post reminded you to try to embrace the change versus fearing it. Good luck!!
Sometimes I wonder if you were in my head, and knew exactly what to say to motivate me through my day!
I wonder the same thing ALL THE TIME in class when you say or do something that motivates me to push a little harder. You’re the best!
Those are some great quotes! I actually wrote about being strong for my last fitness friday after finding a random sign pinned on a street lamp! I love the 2nd to last one! So awesome! (Pinned!!)
http://www.familylifeinlv.com/2012/02/you-are-strong-fitness-friday.html
Oh FUN! I’m off to check out your post now!
amen amen amen!!! love your words and congrats on SOLID day at the job!
thank you so much my friend! xoxo
Awesome post!!! So glad to hear you are feeling strong and powerful!
Yay, so glad you like it!!
Great awesome words and thoughts…and just what I need to tackle the rest of my day!
I hope you rock your day!!!
🙂 I dont have much to say, really, other than it makes me smile HUGE to see how beautiful everything is coming together for you.
XOXO
huge smiles right back ‘atcha, I heart you!!
congrats on a great, inspiring day at work, and THANK YOU for this post. It was both powerful and thoughtful. Good stuff J!!
You are very welcome, M (hehe)!
xoxo
This moves me. You exude all of your positive energy. Amazing job, because you are an amazing, hard, determined worker!
Thank you my friend, you are such an amazing and confident and supportive friend, I love that about you!
LOVE THIS POST!! you said it all. so many things you said here hit home! thank you
you are VERY welcome!
What a simple, great post, friend. Simple but it spoke words. I sat here for years, dreaming big, but being afraid to just go for it. I was afraid to challenge myself. I finally sat back and realized that if I dream and don’t chase ’em, then what good is it?
Your strength and focus is inspiring, Jess.
I LOVE that you are now chasing and embracing those goals, even if it’s a little scary, isn’t it crazily liberating too? I am so proud of you for going for it!!!
I LOVE this post! To me, strength is totally doing something that you thought you couldn’t do–sometimes being successful and sometimes not-so-successful. Strength is also having the courage to pick yourself up and try again! 🙂
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